Convertible backyard carnival

ABSTRACT

A convertible backyard carnival for allowing an amusement device providing rotational and/or reciprocal movement to be configured into one of a plurality of seating arrangements. The convertible backyard carnival comprises a base member having a weighted base platform and a swivel post adapted to fit any one of a plurality of distinct seating structures. Inside the swivel post is a movement member which is adapted to engage a receiving member in each distinct seating structure. The movement member provides the movement aspect of the convertible backyard carnival, and can move a seating structure to which it is connected through the receiving element in a rotational and/or reciprocating manner. In a preferred embodiment, three discrete seating structures are provided: a boat structure, tilt and spin structure, and a spin booth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to amusement structures and, more particularly, to an apparatus configured to convert into a plurality of amusement pack style rides.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The designs and uses of conventional amusement park rides or carnival rides are well established. Rides such as a boat ride, a tilt and spin ride, and a spinning booth are employed in countless locations and provide enjoyment to children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. One commonality between these rides is that they can utilize rotational motion to provide such enjoyment. In such configurations, riders are spun or otherwise move in a structure about a central axis while the ride is in use. In accordance with the same, it is well known that such a boat ride often rocks back and forth about a centralized point, a tilt and spin rocks and spins about a centralized point, and a spin booth spins around a centralized point.

A problem which still exists, however, is that these amusement rides are rarely availed to users who would like to deploy them in their homes. Adding to this is the fact such devices often take up a significant amount of space; making it impractical for a home user to be able to deploy all three rides. Thus, there remains a need for a convertible backyard carnival which would allow a user to selectively deploy an amusement park style ride in a home environment which is operated on movement about a centralized axis. It would be helpful if such a convertible backyard carnival could be selectively converted into different rides, with different movement patterns. It would be additionally desirable for such a convertible backyard carnival to be motorized and able to operate from electric cords or battery power.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a backyard carnival device for availing a plurality of amusement park style rides to a user in a home environment. The primary components of Applicant's convertible backyard carnival are a base member, and at least one seating structure. When in operation, the convertible backyard carnival allows a user to deploy one of a plurality of different types of amusement park rides which is operated on movement about a centralized axis. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art home deployable rides are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A convertible backyard carnival for allowing an amusement device providing rotational and/or reciprocal movement to be configured into one of a plurality of seating arrangements. The convertible backyard carnival comprises a base member having a weighted base platform and a swivel post adapted to fit any one of a plurality of distinct seating structures. Inside the swivel post is a movement member which is adapted to engage a receiving member in each distinct seating structure. The movement member provides the movement aspect of the convertible backyard carnival, and can move a seating structure to which it is connected through the receiving element in a rotational and/or reciprocating manner

In a preferred embodiment, three discrete seating structures are provided: a boat structure, tilt and spin structure, and a spin booth. The convertible backyard carnival is configured in accordance with the same to provided distinct motion to each of the seating structures. In this manner, three distinct amusement part style rides can be simulated by the convertible backyard carnival.

It is an object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which would allow a user to selectively deploy an amusement park style ride in a home environment which is operated on movement about a centralized axis.

It is another object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which could be selectively converted into different rides, with different movement patterns.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which is motorized and able to operate from electric cords or battery power.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a side elevational view of the base member of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a top plan view of the base member of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention with a boat seating structure installed.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a boat seating structure of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention with a tilt and spin seating structure installed.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a tilt and spin seating structure of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention with a spin booth seating structure installed.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a spin booth seating structure of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the base member 10 of a convertible backyard carnival is shown having a base platform 11 and a swivel post 12. The base platform 11 is a hollow body in the preferred embodiment and configured to be filled with sand, water or other material adapted to increase its weight. In an alternate embodiment, it is fixed to a ground surface or it is a solid body. The swivel post 12 provides an interface on which a seating structure built in accordance with the present invention can engage and move about. It is defined in the preferred embodiment as a rigid, arcuate protrusion from the upper surface of the base platform 11 which has an opening 13 at the top. In the opening, a movement member 14 is disposed which is configured to engage a receiving element in the base of a seating structure built in accordance with the present invention. The movement member 14 is connected to a motor (not shown) inside the base member 10, enabling it to spin in a rotational manner about its vertical axis as well as move in a reciprocal direction across its vertical axis, and consequently move any seating structure attached thereto in accordance with the same. It is contemplated that in the preferred embodiment, the movement member 14 can be selectively set to move in at least three distinct manners: (1) spinning at a first, faster speed, (2) spinning at a second, slower speed while also moving in a reciprocating manner, and (3) moving in a reciprocating manner. In an alternate embodiment, the movement member 14 can additionally be selectively set to move in a manner wherein it (4) alternates between moving in a reciprocating manner and rotating a portion around its axis.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a boat seating structure 30 is shown as an elongated, open top vessel 31 having a plurality of seats 32 and a steering wheel 33. The vessel 31 provides a cabin in which users can be located while the boat seating structure 30 is in use. The seats 32 provide a place for a user to sit while in the vessel 31 and will typically include safety belts (not shown). The steering wheel 33 provides a place for users in the vessel 31 to hold on.

Underneath the vessel 31 is an arcuate joint 34 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 34 is a boat receiving element 35. The boat receiving element 35 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow boating seating structure 30 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the boat receiving element 35 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 34, the boat seating structure 30 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the boat seating structure 30 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a reciprocating manner as described in above in movement option (3). In an alternate embodiment, the movement member may be set to move in an alternating reciprocating and rotational manner as described in above in movement option (4).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a tilt and spin seating structure 40 is shown as an circular vessel 41 having a plurality of seats 42 and a steering wheel 43. The vessel 41 provides an area in which users can be located while the tilt and spin seating structure 40 is in use. The seats 42 provide a place for a user to sit while in the vessel 41 and will typically include safety belts 42 a. The steering wheel 43 provides a place for users in the vessel 41 to hold on.

As with the boat seating structure, underneath the vessel 41 is an arcuate joint 44 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 44 is a tilt and spin receiving element 45. The tilt and spin receiving element 45 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow tilt and spin seating structure 40 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the tilt and spin receiving element 45 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 44, the tilt and spin seating structure 40 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the tilt and spin seating structure 40 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a spinning and reciprocating manner as described in above in movement option (2).

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a spin booth seating structure 60 is shown as an circular vessel 61 having a steering wheel 63 and elongated walls. The vessel 61 provides an area in which users can be located while the spin booth seating structure 60 is in use. The steering wheel 63 provides a place for users in the vessel 61 to hold on.

As with the boat seating structure and the tilt and spin seating structure, underneath the vessel 61 is an arcuate joint 64 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 64 is a spinning booth receiving element 65. The spinning booth receiving element 65 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow spin booth seating structure 60 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the spinning booth receiving element 65 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 64, the spin booth seating structure 60 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the spin booth seating structure 60 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a spinning manner as described in above in movement option (1).

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the steering wheel allows the seating structure to be moved manually.

In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the base member and the seating structures are provided in different sizes to be more suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible backyard carnival apparatus, comprising: a plurality of distinct seating structures, wherein each seating structure includes a passenger area and an engaging portion; a base member defined by a base platform with a swivel post integrated therein and a power source connected thereto, wherein the engaging portion of said seating structure can be selectively disposed on the swivel post, enabling the seating structure to be secured to the base member and the base member to cause the seating structure disposed thereon to move; and wherein one seating structure can be disposed on said base member at a given time.
 2. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein said engaging portion is defined by an arcuate joint having receiving element disposed within it.
 3. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein said swivel post has an arcuate surface and includes a movement member inside an opening on the arcuate surface.
 4. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 3, movement member is configured to engage the engaging portion when the seating structure is disposed on the swivel post.
 5. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base member is adapted to cause the seating structure to move in at least three distinct manners: (1) spinning at a first speed, (2) spinning at a second speed while also moving in a reciprocating manner, and (3) moving in a reciprocating manner
 6. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 5, wherein said base member is additionally adapted to cause the seating structure to move in a manner whereby the seating structure alternates between moving in a reciprocating manner and rotating a portion around its axis.
 7. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein a boat seating structure, a tilt and spin seating structure, and a spinning booth seating structure define the plurality of distinct seating structures.
 8. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base platform is a hollow body having material disposed inside which is adapted to increase its weight.
 9. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member is fixed to a ground surface.
 10. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is an external electrical source.
 11. The convertible backyard carnival apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is an internal battery. 